The Portland daily press., 1887-01-24
SECOND PARISH,
Rev. J. c. BRAGG on the MICAH mis-.
sion.

large and interested audience gathered
at the Second Parish church yesterday af-
ternoon to listen to the address by Rev. j. G.
Brace, representative of the McAll Mission
in France.
Mr.. BRAGG began his address by referring
to the French Revolution which leveled all
institutions in France to the ground, and
prepared the places for reconstructiye work
In all domains. 'In all that pertains to our
social institutions we have reached stabili-
ty that is not likely to be endangered. We
have not the pressing social problems of
England and Germany. Our political insti
buttons are becoming irmer and firmer: our
republic has now come to have as MANY
chances OF existence as monarchy in Eng
land" He then referred to the solution of
the educational question. not as satisfactory
as he might wish, but still great gain upon
the past. The greatest and most burning of
all questions Is the religious one. 1t is re-
markable TACT that France grows more and
more aware of its Importance. The attitude
of all scholars is, on the whole more friend
~ to Christianity than in the past in many
instances it is absolutely favorable Jules
favre among our statesmen, Trochu among
our soldiers, Reveilland among our publi-
clsts, Renouvier among philosophical schol-
arS, may be said to be men of note who
showed their friendliness to evangelical
Christianity by entering our Protestant
churches. The lower classesl do not talk
much OF religion, yet they feel its needs
they are detached from Roman Catholicism
In Paris, especially, they are untirely hostile
to two classes OF men, the Germans and the
priests. Their religious ignorance is equal
to their anIi-religions prejudices. Belleville,
suburb OF Paris, the home of 100000 Com
munlsts, is the place where in 1872, Rev r.
w. McAll and his wife began the work that
bears their name. This clergyman was fiftv
years OF age then, had only two French SEN
fences at his command yet he succeeded Inv
his earnestness, his faith and conservation to
elicit the interest of these people. Today
the phenomenal success of his work is ae
knowledged by all acquainted With it. 1t has
36 stations liz and about Paris. 6 in the
provinces, making a total of 1O1. i'm which
were held last year $1,000 meetings, with an
aggregate attendance of nearly one million
Of people. All this work is done in the hum
blest possible halls, poorly furnished, where
which to them is the best and
the newest thing they ever listened
to" Mr.. McAll has now large number of
helpers and colleagues recruited from all the
important Evangelical churches in Paris.
Dr. Bersler DIR. De Preusense, DR.. Appia.
Theodore Monad and many other pastors
have given the most hearty cooperation To
the McAll Mission. At least one hundred
laymen nave come to help Mr.. McAll, among
whom are Mons. st. Hilaire, membersof the
French Academy of Sciences, NJ. De Ouatre-
forgen, one of the greatest Authropsiogists
of the world and NJ. Eugene Reuilland. edi-
tor of the Signal Many devoted Christian
ladies have large share in the work. Still
the most interested person connected with
the work is the founder. A wonderful man
he Is. He has the best qualities of the French
and those of the English and especially the
practical talent of the latter which he has
applied so successfully to this missionary
work. He has great capacity for painstak-
ing. Since he went to Paris he has presided
annually over 400 meetings, has borne a
heavy correspondence and the financial re-
sponsibility of the Mission, all this without
the least financial remeunration. Owing to
the yoluntarism of most of his helpers. the
conservation of Mr.. McAll and his business
ability, this work was carried on for Sos. 600
one-third of which was spent for the rent OF
halls. The undenominational character of
the work is to be remembered. All Evan
gelical churches have acknowledged their in
terest in it, while the French government
has shown the greatest possible good will
toward It and the French police is loud in its
praise of its beneficent influence upon the
masses. Mr.. BRAGG concluded with an an
peal for the support of this work in his
country,